Are You
Sure Jesus Has Forgiven Your Sins?

Different ideas
are taught about how a person receives forgiveness of sins by the
blood of Jesus Christ. Are we saved by "faith only," or
must we obey the gospel? Is baptism necessary to salvation from
sin or is obedience not essential?

Is baptism sprinkling,
pouring, or immersion? Should babies (infants) be baptized? What
can we learn from New Testament examples of people who were
forgiven? What does the Bible teach?

Introduction:

To receive eternal life according to the gospel of Christ, a
person must be forgiven of sins by Jesus' blood (Ephesians 1:7;
Matthew 26:28; 1 Peter 2:24). But many people are unsure about
whether or not they have been forgiven. Others may think that
they have been forgiven, but would be surprised to learn that
Jesus does not agree.

Matthew 7:21-23 - Many people, who believe in the Lord, will
expect Jesus to accept them at the judgment. Instead He will
reject them because they have not done the will of the Father.

Acts 23:1; 26:9 - Saul was a Jew who opposed Jesus in all good
conscience, doing what he sincerely believed he should do. Yet he
was the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:12-15). Clearly he had been
misled.

What about you and me? Is it possible we have been misled like
these people? What about baptism or "faith only." What
about repentance and confession? Should babies be baptized? Is
baptism sprinkling, pouring, or immersion? Surely these questions
deserve your careful investigation.

The Bible teaches that we can be sure Jesus has forgiven
us if we have obeyed the gospel conditions of forgiveness.

Hebrews 5:9 - Jesus is the author of eternal salvation unto
all them that obey Him. (See also Acts 10:35; Luke
6:46; 1 John 2:3-6.)

1 Peter 1:22 - We purify our souls in obeying the
truth.

Romans 6:17,18 - We are made free from sin when we obey from
the heart the doctrine delivered.

If we recognize Jesus as our Lord, then we must obey the
conditions of forgiveness just as the gospel reveals them,
without any human changes (Acts 17:11; Galatians 1:8,9; 2 John 9).

This study is designed to help each be sure about
salvation.

Please begin with a brief self-examination to show us where we
are now (2 Cor. 13:5). Then we will study what the Bible says
about salvation and we can each compare our own case to Jesus'
teaching.

1. Have you made a personal commitment
to serve Jesus? (a) yes, (b) no.

2.
Have you been baptized? (a) yes, (b) no. If so, how old
were you?

Were
you baptized by (a) sprinkling, (b) pouring, or (c)
immersion?

Why
were you baptized? (a) to please loved ones, (b) as a
sign I had been saved, (c) to receive forgiveness of
sins, (d) because others were doing it, (e) to join a
denomination, (f) other:

When
you repented of sin and determined to live for God, how
long was it till you were baptized?

3.
Suppose a person sincerely does the following things. At
what point do you believe his sins would be washed away?
When he (a) hears the gospel, (b) believes, (c) repents,
(d) confesses Jesus, (e) prays for forgiveness, (f) is
baptized, (g) other:

Now please take out your Bible and look up the indicate >>>Scriptures<<<. Then answer each question that
has a number enclosed in asterisks (*1*, *2*, etc.). Note:
Correct answers for the questions are listed at the end. This
lesson is not designed to be submitted
to us for grading. If you wish to study this course online and
submit the lessons to us for grading, please go to https://www.biblestudylessons.com.
Thank you.

I. Let Us Consider Some New Testament Examples
of Conversion.

The book of Acts contains many examples of people who received
forgiveness of sins by Jesus' blood. Since God is no respecter of
persons, we can surely be saved if we do as these people did (Acts
10:34; Romans 2:11). (As you study, please note the chart at the
end of this section.)

A. The Jews on Pentecost

On a Jewish feast day called Pentecost, Jews came to Jerusalem
from all over the Roman empire. The Holy Spirit empowered the
apostles to preach to the people (Acts 2:14-36).

>>> Read ACTS 2:36-41. <<<

*1* What did Peter tell the people to believe (v36)? (a) Jesus
is Lord and Christ, (b) people can save themselves without Jesus,
(c) it does not matter what we believe, (d) all the preceding.

*2* What did Peter command them to do (v38)? (a) just be
sincere, (b) repent and be baptized, (c) follow their church
tradition.

*3* For what purpose were they to do this (v38)? (a) as a sign
they were already saved, (b) to join a particular denomination, (c)
for remission of sins.

*4* Who else may receive these blessings (v39)? (a) only Jews,
(b) only people in the first century, (c) all people everywhere.

Three thousand people heard, believed, repented, and were
baptized. As a result, they were forgiven of sins. (See the chart
below.)

B. The Ethiopian Treasurer

A certain eunuch was riding in his chariot, reading from
Isaiah. Then a preacher named Philip approached (Acts 8:26-34).

*6* As a result, what did the eunuch want (v36)? (a) baptism,
(b) money, (c) a direct revelation from the Holy Spirit.

*7* What did he have to do first (v37)? (a) pray for
forgiveness, (b) believe in Jesus and confess Him, (c) pay a fee.

The treasurer heard about Jesus, believed in him, confessed
his faith, and was baptized. (See the chart below.)

C. Saul of Tarsus

Saul was an unbelieving Jew who was traveling to Damascus to
persecute Christians (Acts 8:3; 9:1-3).

>>> Read ACTS 9:3-6,18; 22:16 <<<

*8* Who appeared to Saul as he traveled (v3-5)? (a) Jesus (b)
Mary, the mother of Jesus, (c) John the Baptist.

*9* What did the Lord tell Saul to do (v6)? (a) wait in the
city to be told what he must do, (b) pray through at the
mourner's bench, (c) send a financial contribution.

*10* What did Ananias tell him he must do (22:16)? (a) pray to
the saints, (b) give his testimony before the church, (c) be
baptized.

Saul heard about Jesus and was baptized to wash away his sins.

A Summary of Examples of Conversions

People

Hear

Believe

Repent

Confess

Baptized

Result

Jews
(Acts 2)

v14-41

(v36)

v38

v38,41

Remission (v38)

Treasurer
(Acts 8)

v35

v37

v37

vv 38,39

Rejoicing (v39)

Saul
(Acts 9,22)

9:6

9:18
22:16

Sins washed away (22:16)

Have you done what these people did?

II. Let Us Summarize the Steps to Forgiveness.

By taking all that Jesus said from the examples of conversion
(Acts 3:22,23), we see that the following steps were involved.
Notice each of them more closely.

A. Hearing

>>> Read JOHN 6:44,45. <<<

*11* What must one do to come to Jesus? (a) see a vision, (b)
learn the word of God, (c) pray for a direct message from the
Spirit.

*12* Can one be saved without hearing the gospel? (a) yes, (b)
no.

"You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you
free" - John 8:32. (See John 6:63,68; 12:48; Acts 11:14;
Romans 10:14-17.)

B. Faith

>>> Read ROMANS 1:16. <<<

*13* What is the power of God to salvation? (a) human wisdom,
(b) the gospel, (c) man-made creeds.

*14* What condition must we meet to be saved? (a) believe, (b)
just have a good conscience, (c) read the whole Bible 5 times.

"Without faith it is impossible to please Him" -
Hebrews 11:6. Note that believing alone does not make one a child
of God, but only gives him the right to become a
child of God - John 1:12. (See also John 8:24; 20:30,31; Romans 5:1,2.)

C. Repentance

>>> Read ACTS 17:30,31. <<<

*15* What does God command men to do? (a) just live better
than most people, (b) hear a voice from God, (c) repent.

*16* How many people must do this? (a) some, (b) all, (c) none.

*17* What event should lead us to repent? (a) the judgment, (b)
the sin of Adam, (c) the giving of the Law of Moses.

God "is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any
should perish, but that all should come to repentance" - 2
Peter 3:9. All people are guilty of sin (Romans 3:23) and must
repent to be forgiven. We must change our mind about sin and
decide to do God's will always. (See also Acts 2:38; 3:19; 2
Corinthians 7:10.)

D. Confession

>>> Read ROMANS 10:9,10. <<<

*19* What must we believe to be saved? (a) Joseph Smith is a
prophet, (b) Jesus rose from the dead, (c) miracles still occur,
(d) all the preceding.

*20* What else must we do to be saved? (a) confess Jesus, (b)
believe as our parents did, (c) obey the 10 commands.

"And Simon Peter answered and said, 'Thou art the Christ,
the Son of the living God'" - Matthew 16:16. (See also Acts
8:37; Matthew 10:32; John 12:42.)

Just as there is only one true God, so there is only one true
baptism today. Yet denominations practice many different kinds of
baptism. What is the true baptism, and why is it important? In
order to be sure what Jesus wants regarding baptism, let us study
it further.

III. Let Us Take a Closer Look at Baptism.

A. The Proper Purpose of Baptism

Why should a person be baptized? Are sins forgiven before
baptism or as a result of it? Some groups say baptism is
essential to receive forgiveness. Others say sins are forgiven
before baptism, but one should be baptized to join a denomination
or as an outward sign he has already been saved. What does the
gospel of Christ say?

>>> Read ACTS 22:16. <<<

*24* When were Saul's sins washed away? (a) on the road to
Damascus, (b) before he was baptized, (c) as a result of his
baptism?

*25* Note that Saul had already believed in Jesus and had been
praying (9:1-6,11). Most churches would say he was already saved
before baptism. But was he? (a) yes, (b) no.

One who believes in Jesus must be baptized to wash away sins.

>>> Read ROMANS 6:3,4. <<<

*26* Into what are we baptized? (a) Jesus and His death, (b) a
particular denomination, (c) a social club.

*27* According to what we have earlier learned, can a person
be saved outside Jesus and without His blood? (a) yes, (b) no.

*28* For each person there must be a point at which he first
receives forgiveness. He is in sin before that point, but
afterwards, he is forgiven. At what point does this occur? (a)
the moment we believe, (b) when we pray for forgiveness, (c) when
we are baptized.

In Jesus are forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7), freedom from
condemnation (Romans 8:1), salvation (2 Timothy 2:10), and
eternal life (1 John 5:11,12). But to come into Jesus, we must be
baptized. (See also Galatians 3:27.)

Illustration: Before the ceremony, a couple takes several
steps toward marriage, but they enter the blessings and
privileges of matrimony at the point of the wedding ceremony, not
before. So faith, repentance, etc., are essential steps toward
salvation; but only at the point of baptism does one contact
Jesus' blood.

Note also that, as a result of baptism, we "walk in
newness of life" (we are "born again"). We cannot
be born again without baptism (see also 1 Peter 1:22,23; 2
Corinthians 5:17; John 3:3,5). This new birth obligates us to
serve God faithfully (see the rest of Romans 6).

>>> Read ACTS 2:38. <<<

*29* When does remission of sins come? (a) before one repents
and is baptized, (b) after one has repented and been baptized?

*30* Can one be saved without repentance? (a) yes, (b) no.

*31* Can one be saved without baptism? (a) yes, (b) no.

*32* As in the Lord's Supper, baptism involves both an outer
action and an inner meaning (1 Corinthians 11:23-29). If a person
did the outer act but did not understand the inner meaning or did
it for the wrong reason, would his baptism be valid? (a) yes, (b)
no.

(See also Romans 6:17,18; 2:28,29).

>>> Read MARK 16:15,16. <<<

*33* What must one do to be saved? (a) believe and be
baptized, (b) just believe, (c) just be a zealous religious
person.

*34* When is one saved? (a) before baptism, (b) after baptism.

Just as 1 + 1 = 2, so faith + baptism = salvation. Take away
faith or baptism, and you no longer have salvation.

"...Baptism doth also now save us..." - 1 Peter 3:21.
The power to forgive is in Jesus' death and resurrection, not in
the water. But we receive that power when our faith leads us to
be baptized, not before. (Compare the story of Naaman in 2 Kings
5:10ff.)

*36* How was Jesus buried? (a) a little dirt was sprinkled or
poured on Him, (b) he was completely surrounded in the earth,
then came out from it (compare Matthew 12:40; 27:60).

>>> Read ACTS 8:38,39. <<<

*37* How is the eunuch's baptism described? (a) he was
sprinkled, (b) water was poured on him, (c) he went down into the
water and came up out of it.

*38* When denominations sprinkle or pour, does the person
"go down into" the water and "come up out of it"?
(a) yes, (b) no.

In the gospel, baptism is always a complete immersion. In
fact, the original word meant to dip, immerse, etc. (See the
Greek derivation of the word according to English
dictionaries.) (See also Mark 1:9,10; Hebrews 10:22; John 3:23.)

C. The Proper Subject of Baptism

Should babies be baptized, or should people wait until they
can understand and decide for themselves?

*39* Before one can be baptized, he must understand the gospel
(John 6:44,45), believe (Mark 16:15,16; Acts 8:12), repent (Acts
2:38), and confess (Romans 10:9,10). Can babies do this? (a) yes,
(b) no.

*40* Baptized people are members of the church and must
participate in its work and worship (1 Corinthians 12:13,25,26;
10:16,17; 11:23-29; Ephesians 4:16). Can babies do these things?
(a) yes, (b) no.

>>> Read MATTHEW 18:3. <<<

*41* To enter the kingdom, what must we do? (a) become totally
depraved, (b) inherit the sin of Adam, (c) be converted and
become like little children.

*42* When we are converted, what is our condition? (a)
forgiven of sin, (b) innocent, (c) like little children, (d) all
the preceding.

*43* Since baptism is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38),
then do babies need to be baptized? (a) yes, (b) no.

The command to be baptized is addressed to people old enough
to make their own choice with understanding. Little children do
not need baptism because they are innocent before God and are not
accountable for sin (Psalm 106:38; Matthew 19:14; Ezekiel 18:20;
2 Corinthians 5:10). To baptize babies would be to obey the
teachings of men, not Jesus (Matthew 15:9; Galatians 1:8,9; etc.).

In the Bible, when people understood, believed, and repented,
they were baptized without delay (Acts 2:41; 8:35-39; 22:16; 16:23-34).
Many churches today postpone baptism until a "baptismal
service" days or weeks later. This shows they misunderstand
the purpose of it. If you understand, you should not delay, but
obey today.

Conclusion

To be sure your sins are forgiven, you must obey the
teachings of Jesus the Lord (Hebrews 5:9). You must not follow
human doctrines, but obey the gospel exactly as Jesus revealed it.

You began this study by summarizing your own conversion.
Please go back and compare what you have done in the past to what
you now know the Bible teaches.

*
Have you understood the true teachings of the
gospel about forgiveness of sins?

*
Have you believed in God, in the Bible, and in
Jesus as your Lord and Savior who died for your sins and rose
again?

*
Have you repented of your sins and determined to
dedicate your whole life to serving God?

*
Have you confessed Jesus as your Lord?

*
Have you been Scripturally baptized - did you first
understand and make up your own mind to be baptized, were you
completely immersed, and did you do it for the purpose of
receiving forgiveness of sins by the blood of Jesus?

Perhaps you are one of the many people who thought you were
forgiven, but now you realize you were misled. What should you
do? You should realize that you simply have never completed your
obedience to the gospel and you should now determine to complete
it.

In particular, if a person realizes that his "baptism"
was not Scriptural, what should he do? Acts 19:1-7 shows that
people with this problem were baptized properly. Remember, there
are many false baptisms, but only one true baptism (Ephesians 4:3-6).

"Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers
only" - James 1:22.

"If you love Me, keep my commandments" - John 14:15.
Do you love Jesus enough to obey his commandments?

Note: If you would like to learn more about the topics
studied in this article, please consider the links below. We have
articles about the purpose of baptism, the importance of
obedience, baptism of babies, sprinkling and pouring vs.
immersion, "faith only," etc.

Note: If you would like help in finding a faithful
local church in your area or a Christian in your area to study the Bible
personally with you, please click on the link at the end of this message to
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Depending on where you live, we may or may not be able to help in these ways.